Daughter of Twin Oaks (A Secret Refuge Book #1)

Lauraine Snelling

Apr 2000 · A Secret Refuge Book 1 · Bethany House

About this ebook

Will the Wounded Soldier She Rescues From Certain Death be Able to Break Down the Walls of Bitterness That Surround Her Heart?

Seeking to fulfill the promise she made to her dying father, eighteen-year-old Jesselynn Highwood determines to take her little brother and the family's remaining Thoroughbreds from Twin Oaks plantation in Kentucky to her uncle's farm in Missouri, where they will be safe for the remainder of the Civil War.



Jesselynn is also fleeing a cruel man in Confederate uniform who has pledged to take revenge against her for refusing his hand in marriage. No longer safe at Twin Oaks, she embarks on a perilous journey, taking on the momentous responsibility for the lives and welfare of all who go with her.



They ride at night and hide during the day, dodging both Confederate and Union troops along the way. Encountering hunger, sickness, and the devastation of war, they finally arrive in Missouri only to discover that the situation there puts them in even greater danger. Discouraged, disillusioned, and facing a severe testing of her faith, Jesselynn will stop at nothing to save her family, the horses, and whatever remains of Twin Oaks.

Ratings and reviews

An entertaining, engrossing read. The storyline & some of the characters reminiscent of Gone With the Wind but that is to be expected. It would be difficult to write about the same period in history without some similarities. Quite a long book but keeps you interested all the way through to see what happens next. The ending a bit sudden, leaves you wondering. Book 2 may be a continuation.

Daughters of Twin Oaks Enjoyed this book of courage, growth and finding spiritual strength and belief. Different view of the heartache suffered during the Civil War. Inspiring.

If you are looking for a female Louis L'amour type novel, this book fits the bill. Lots of switching back and forth. (Meanwhile, back at the ranch . . .)

About the author

Lauraine Snelling is an award winning author of over 30 books, both fiction and non fiction for adults and young adults. She has two horse series for young teen girls, the GOLDEN FILLY SERIES which is completed and HIGH HURDLES. Lauraine is also the author of the popular RED RIVER OF THE NORTH series set in North Dakota in the past part of the 19th century. The Bjorklund brothers bring their families from Norway to begin a new life on the land they will turn from prairie to fertile farms.

Besides writing both books and articles, Lauraine teaches at writer's conferences across the country and has an active speaking career. She and husband Wayne have two grown sons, four grand dogs and live in the country where Lauraine can garden, sew, do crafts, cross stitch, enjoy her birds and eventually have a horse again.